Bridging the Gap Between Education and Real-World Experience

Ever wondered why internships are such a big deal? Well, they’re like the ultimate career hack! Internships bridge the gap between what you learn in school and what you do in the real world. They’re all about diving into the nitty-gritty of your chosen field, getting hands-on experience, and making those classroom lessons come alive.

For you, a future intern, an internship means building skills, making connections, and getting a taste of what your future career looks like. And for forward-thinking companies like Klivvr, it’s a chance to meet fresh talents and see new ideas in action. Our interns bring energy and innovation, helping us stay ahead of the curve.

Defining the Process

At Klivvr, we’ve meticulously crafted an internship program focused on growth and learning. It’s not just about doing the work; it’s about becoming an integral part of the team and making a real impact. Hatem Maamoun, our VP of Engineering, posed a pivotal question to our team: "Who wants to contribute to the internship program?" Immediately, Muhammed Youssef, Mohammed El-Sheikh, Moataz Mohammed, Haidy Emad, Kerolles Magdy, Mohammed Sherief, Mohammed El Hinamy, and myself—Ahmed Ramzy—stepped up to the challenge.

He then entrusted us with the task of designing the entire program—from the projects interns would work on, to the screening process, and the management of their daily tasks. Meanwhile, Yacoub Yassin, former Product Manager, took charge of mentoring the product manager intern, and Mai Soliman, our UX Researcher, dedicated herself to guiding the product design interns.

Together, we brainstormed various ideas and agreed on the following approach: We sought talent with a solid grasp of programming basics and strong problem-solving skills, along with foundational knowledge of relevant technologies (iOS, Android, and Backend). The interns would be tasked with working on a project that provides hands-on learning experience within Klivvr.

Each of us would manage the interns for a week, ensuring they receive diverse perspectives and guidance. We also coordinated with other departments to provide valuable learning sessions on topics crucial to our operations. This immersive approach allowed our interns to engage fully, gaining a realistic experience of workplace dynamics.

Meet our 2023 Interns

After filtering numerous CVs, our HR team conducted interviews with 40 candidates across different teams to ensure they met our criteria. We selected eight interns for the engineering team, three for product design, and one for product management. Our internship program underscores Klivvr's commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Meet our talented interns: Eman Mohammed, Dalia Hamada, Nadeen Serag, Mariam Ame, Muhamed Magdy, and John Nabil joined our engineering team. Shaza Omar, Marium Nour, and Muhamed Ashraf enriched our product design team, while Mohammed Adel took on the role of a product manager. Each intern brought a unique perspective, and the excitement to learn and grow professionally.

For the engineering team, Eman, Dalia, Nadeen, Mariam, Muhamed, and Keroless were eager to delve into programming, software development, and system architecture. They aimed to strengthen their technical skills while contributing to innovative projects that push the boundaries of technology.

In the realm of product design, Shaza, Marium, and Muhamed were driven by creativity and user-centric design principles. They aspired to craft intuitive user interfaces and engaging experiences that resonate with Klivvr’s users.

As for Mohammed Adel, our product manager intern, he focused on mastering the art of product lifecycle management, from ideation to delivery. He collaborated across teams, ensuring that our products exceed customer expectations.

Our Interns with our tech team on their last day

The Program

At Klivvr, we are committed to offering interns a transformative experience through our structured internship program. It begins with a thorough orientation and onboarding process designed to familiarize interns with our company culture, values, and operational dynamics. During this period, interns also receive comprehensive training on our systems, tools, and best practices, ensuring they are well-prepared to contribute effectively from day one.

On their first day, we onboarded the interns to the project they would be working on—the Klivvr social app, a platform designed for Klivvr employees to communicate, celebrate, and have fun together. We introduced them to their mentors, who would guide them each week, and provided an overview of the internship program. This included the goals, expectations, and resources available to support their learning and development.

On the second day, the interns began by reviewing their backlogs and familiarizing themselves with Kanban boards. This was crucial for them to understand how tasks are managed and prioritized. They learned how to extract technical details from tasks and effectively plan their work.

A typical day for our interns started with a daily stand-up meeting, where they discussed their progress, planned for the day, and addressed any blockers they encountered. This practice not only kept everyone on the same page but also fostered a collaborative environment.

Following the stand-up, interns would dive into their project work, applying their skills and learning through hands-on experience. Regular mentorship sessions were a key feature of the program. These sessions alternated between technical topics—such as coding practices, system architecture, and debugging techniques—and soft skills, including effective communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.

Mentorship and supervision formed the backbone of our program. Each intern was paired with a mentor who provided guidance and support throughout the internship. Mentors shared valuable industry insights, offered career advice, and helped interns navigate challenges. Regular check-ins and mentoring sessions ensured that interns received continuous feedback, enabling them to learn and grow professionally.

Feedback and evaluation were integral components of our program. Interns received constructive feedback on their work and performance from mentors and project leads. This feedback was instrumental in identifying strengths and areas for improvement, fostering a culture of continuous learning and development. Formal evaluations provided interns with a holistic view of their progress and achievements, recognizing their contributions and preparing them for future career opportunities.

In addition to project work, we arranged off-topic sessions where interns could learn from other departments. The data team, information security team, product team, and HR team each conducted sessions to explain and demonstrate their roles and impact on the company. These sessions were designed to give interns a broader understanding of how different functions contribute to the success of the company.

Our interns attending a session held by the Data Team

To ensure individual attention and address any concerns, we scheduled regular one-on-one meetings. These sessions allowed mentors to provide personalized feedback, discuss any challenges interns were facing, and offer additional support as needed. This personalized approach helped interns feel valued and supported throughout their journey.

The Impact

The internship program at Klivvr has yielded remarkable outcomes for our interns. By the end of the program, our interns gained hands-on experience, enhanced their technical skills, and developed essential soft skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. Additionally, many of our interns secured excellent opportunities at other leading companies in the tech industry, a testament to the solid foundation they built during their time with us.

The impact of our internship program on Klivvr has been significant and multifaceted. Interns brought fresh perspectives and innovative ideas, infusing our projects with new energy and creativity. Moreover, integrating interns into our teams fostered a culture of mentorship and continuous learning among our staff. By engaging with the interns, our employees honed their leadership and teaching skills, creating a more collaborative and dynamic work environment. We are continuously working on enhancing our internship program to provide an even more enriching experience.

Testimony & Advice for Future Interns

Marium's journey at Klivvr was significantly influenced by the mentorship she received. "I was able to understand how important research is, and we don’t just decide this is how we want the product to look like and that’s it. t is a continuous loop where you try, test, get feedback, and improve," she shared. While shadowing one of our designers, Ahmed Badry, she learned the intricacies of the design process and the value of persistent learning.

Adel's path to becoming a full-time product manager at Klivvr began with a specific goal in mind. "There was a big learning curve, and I had the opportunity to build so much during the two-month internship. When I got the opportunity to continue, it was the cherry on top. I believed that my learning journey was not over at Klivvr," Adel recounted. He emphasized the importance of understanding the relationship between the product team and other departments. "Dealing with different stakeholders with their varying positions, and the relation between product and tech, was the most valuable thing I learned at Klivvr," he explained.

Marium and Adel, now full-time employees at Klivvr, have some advice for future interns. "Push yourself and give it your maximum effort. Don’t take it lightly; take it as a real job and push yourself," Marium advises. Adel adds, "Work on real products, don’t overthink the policies, and push yourself to your maximum effort